Neural contributions to flow experience during video game playing

Abstract

Video games are an exciting part of new media. Although game play has been intensively studied, the underlying neurobiology is still poorly understood. Flow theory is a well-established model developed to describe subjective game experience. In 13 healthy male subjects, we acquired fMRI data during free play of a video game and analyzed brain activity based on the game content. In accordance with flow theory, we extracted the following factors from the game content: (i) balance between ability and challenge; (ii) concentration and focus; (iii) direct feedback of action results; (iv) clear goals; and (v) control over the situation/activity. We suggest that flow is characterized by specific neural activation patterns and that the latter can be assessed-at least partially-by content factors contributing to the emergence of flow. Each of the content factors was characterized by specific and distinguishable brain activation patterns, encompassing reward-related midbrain structures, as well as cognitive and sensorimotor networks. The activation of sensory and motor networks in the conjunction analyses underpinned the central role of simulation for flow experience. Flow factors can be validated with functional brain imaging which can improve the understanding of human emotions and motivational processes during media entertainment.

Brain activity during the flow experience: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

“…In this case, we speculate that the VLPFC was involved in the cognitive control of memory, because activation was observed in both the boredom and the flow conditions. In contrast to a previous study [7], we observed no significant activation of premotor or supplementary motor areas. Activation of these areas is probably not essential for flow, but may be induced by task characteristics.…”

“…Klasen et al [7] used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to evaluate brain activity during flow and demonstrated increased activity in midbrain reward structures as well as a complex network of sensorimotor, cognitive and 6 emotional brain circuits during a state of flow. However, the level of flow was not assessed, and it is not clear whether participants were able to enter a full state of flow when their heads were fixed in the magnetic resonance scanner.…”

Use of immersive virtual reality to assess episodic memory: A validation study in older adults

“…The questionnaire was constructed based on a literature review regarding the different components of motivation according to the concept of flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 2000) in relation to video games (Klasen, Weber, Kircher, Mathiak, & Mathiak, 2012), and media enjoyment (Weber, Tamborini, Westcott-Baker, & Kantor, 2009). One version was used for the VR task and another for the traditional memory task.…”

Flow in gaming: literature synthesis and framework development

“…Neural correlates for the flow experience were studied by Berta et al (2013) and Klasen et al (2012). Berta et al (2013) studied the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) for user status monitoring in games.…”